BY KWANELE TSABEDZE
MBABANE – Deputy Prime Minister Themba Masuku has joined other leaders from 136 countries for the Africa Climate Summit currently happening in Nairobi, Kenya.
The Africa Climate Summit 2023 will focus on delivering climate-positive growth and finance solutions for Africa and the world. The Deputy Prime Minister is representing His Majesty King Mswati III, who is currently in the country attending to royal duties like the recently concluded Umhlanga Reed Dance Ceremony.
The inaugural Africa Climate Summit was officially launched by the hosting country’s president, William Ruto. He said that Africa’s 54 countries “must go green fast before industrializing and not vice versa, unlike (richer nations) had the luxury to do.”
Transforming Africa’s economy on a green trajectory “is the most feasible, just and efficient way to attain a net-zero world by 2050,” he said.
“We have no choice but to approach this colossal task with clear minds and open eyes. A lot has to happen before Africa can live up to its full potential of providing climate solutions for its citizens, and the entire world. Over the next few days, I have no doubt that African leaders sitting here, and our friends from elsewhere will be open, honest, and direct about what we can commit and bring to this table,” said President William Ruto.
Part of the conversation will be about fossil fuels, as well as how Africa’s GDP should be revalued for its assets that include the world’s second-largest rainforest and biodiversity,
“Africa cannot be nature-rich and cash-poor,” said the president of the African Development Bank, Akinwumi Adesina when commenting on the topic.
The summit was established by the African Union to help Africa come up with solutions to the climate crisis and related issues. It began on September 5, and will end on September 6, where the Nairobi Declaration will be signed and adopted by Heads of State.
